--The pallid morn illumines the mud of the roads, And under the hedges the cabbage leaves and the flowers Pour on the tawny earth their burden of rain. Those who are dead depart, and those who are living Must stand before the world and confess their o'er burdened souls. I stand alone and wounded. THE KING: This child is dead? TÊTE-D'OR: He is dead. _(The KING drops his head on his breast._ Yes, that sight is bitterer than sourest herbs! Oh! I was for him as Athens was for Argos, Yet I shall bear this also and my patient heart shall not be shaken For now I must proclaim myself to all. --O soul, farewell, enter before us into the splendor of Noon! _(Pause._ A FAT WOMAN (_of about fifty standing near_ TÊTE-D'OR, _in a loud voice_): Speak, general, what have you to say? TÊTE-D'OR: What is this woman doing here? Clear the hall of these females! Who let loose these mares upon me! Out! Off with you! Begone! _(The women go out._ As for you, I scarcely know who you are or what is the meaning of this assembly. O King, is it thus you grant access to your presence? But it is well. I will speak before this rabble and they shall hear what I have to say. _(He stands silent, with downcast eyes._ THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE: Speak! What have you to say? TÊTE-D'OR: You have seen what I have done. Nevertheless I shall tell it again that you may contradict me. I say that this land was like an estate without a master, like a building that robbers themselves have abandoned, taking even the locks and bolts. O King! they left you alone in your palace and old women brought their goats to pasture in your garden. Everything was piled in a heap, and like cowards, the citizens lifted their impotent hands in air. I appeared in the market-place! I appeared in that land made desolate, bringing the force of hope to a perishing people, And I spoke with the voice of command. And those who slumbered Heard, and thrilled at the call of the leader, Like the blast of the trumpet, like the creating word! Thus I gathered an army about me. I conceived and I executed. I hurled the enemy to the ground and tore the sword from his hand. I killed the lion that sprang upon you to devour you. That is what I did. Has anyone anything to say? THE KING: That is what you did, Tête-d'or. THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE: Well and good. But you didn't do it alone. TÊTE-D'OR: I say that I did it all alone, I alone! I did it! I alone! Not another, but I! --What will you give me, then, as a proper recompense? --What will you give me That you have not received from my hands? _(The HIGH PREFECT breathes through his nose as if he wished to speak._ THE SCHOOLMASTER: You only did your duty. THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE: You have only done your duty to your country. TÊTE-D'OR: What duty? What country? What have you done for me? I wandered your roads like a vagabond. My bed was the breast of the earth. And I know how you welcome the man with swarthy cheeks